- (L to R) Natalie Oddo, Jordan Lamb, Taylor Fritz, Kara Edwards, Jun Xu and Katie Shippert
Kara Edwards, Junior
Where do you work or where did you complete your hospitality internship at? I work at Hilton Garden Inn as a Guest Services Representative. I have not done my internship yet but hope to either do it with HGI or some hotel in Kansas City this upcoming summer.
What honors have you received? I won the Future Leader Award from IACC this past March and have been on the Dean’s List.
Why are you an HRA major? I am an HRA major because I love everything about the hospitality industry. I love that it is so diverse, fast paced and that it never sleeps. Each day is a completely new experience, whether it is a new connection you make with a client/guest or solving an issue you have never encountered. I believe to be the best at what you do and never stop learning, and that is exactly what you can expect from the hospitality world.
What is your favorite part about being an HRA major? I love how close our whole department is; I can sit down in any of my classes and see at least 15 people that I know. It is so cool being surrounded by people that have the same passion about something as you do. I also love that our major has so much to offer. You not only have six different tracks to choose from, but you also have a whole team of professors that do everything they can to help you land your dream job upon graduating (i.e. Recruiter’s Fair, guest speakers, etc.)
What hospitality organizations are you involved in? Hospitality Leaders of Tomorrow and Eta Sigma Delta (Events/PR Chair)
What other organizations are you involved in? I am active on the Outreach/Green Committee at Hilton Garden Inn (Secretary/Treasurer). Through this committee, I volunteer with such things as highway cleanups, Ozarks Food Harvest and St. Jude’s fundraising. I also have been on the Dean’s List and previously was part of the Pride Band at MSU.
Taylor Fritz, Junior
Where do you work or where did you complete your hospitality internship at? I currently work at Olive Garden Springfield. However, I have also worked for Olive Garden in Lee’s Summit, MO and Stillwater, OK. I started as a busser for them, but I have moved through serving, hosting, dishwashing, and now I am a cook. I also have participated in the Disney College Program.
What honors have you received? I am the recipient of the Carl D. Riegel Memorial Scholarship and the Dean’s List.
What hospitality organizations are you involved in? Eta Sigma Delta
Why are you an HRA major? I have always been interested in food and beverage management. I enjoy foods from all over the world and the cultures that create them. Food is an essential part of society, and it is a great way to make an impact on the lives of others. Through hospitality management I am given the opportunity to positively impact not just people but real world events. I can lead a business that recognizes and creatively addresses global issues like food waste and food insecurity while being successful. In addition, the hospitality industry has a large labor force, and I believe Unites States business has failed to promote a worker friendly environment where people don’t feel replaceable or alienated in their job. I want to prove that promoting a great work environment with tremendous reward not just financially, but also physically and mentally, really leads to a more successful business and leads to a better society. Therefore, HRA is a complex major that allows me to positively impact both my community and the world.
What is your favorite part about being an HRA major? I love the HRA major because the hospitality industry is a constantly changing industry that makes for entertaining classes.
What other organizations are you involved in? I am a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society, ESD and Phi Theta Kappa Honor society.
Jordan Lamb, Senior
Where do you work or where did you complete your hospitality internship at? I work at Ramada Plaza Hotel and Oasis Convention Center as a Guest Service Agent. I also interned at Big Cedar Lodge as an Activities Coordinator.
What honors have you received? I received the HRA Board of Advisors Scholarship and am on the Dean’s List
Why are you an HRA major? My parents had always told me a career in the hospitality industry would be a good fit for me, so I finally took the Introduction to Hospitality Leadership (HRA 210) and loved it! I also love how there are so many opportunities and a variety of career paths within the hospitality industry.
What is your favorite part about being an HRA major? I love that all our professors are knowledgeable and experienced. The HRA faculty and staff also genuinely care about their students’ success in and after college.
What hospitality organizations are you involved in? Eta Sigma Delta (Vice President)
What other organizations are you involved in? I am part of University Ambassadors, Panhellenic Association Executive Board, Alpha Chi Omega and Order of Omega. I also volunteer at Harmony House, Convoy of Hope, Samaritan Center and Habitat for Humanity
Natalie Oddo, Senior
Where do you work or where did you complete your hospitality internship at? I work at Springfield Brewing Company and at 425 Downtown as a shift lead team member. I completed my internship with Starwood Hotels working at the Kansas City complex (The Sheraton and The Westin) shadowing department managers. I also participated in Big Cedar Lodge’s summer program in their Activities Department.
What honors have you received? I received a Hyatt Hotel Scholarship and have been on the Dean’s List.
Why are you an HRA major? It is a passion of mine to help others. I am definitely a people person, and this gives me the perfect chance to work with different types of people every day.
What is your favorite part about being an HRA major? I love how dedicated and knowledgeable our professors are. Their passion is obvious and makes us students very excited about what we are learning.
What hospitality organizations are you involved in? Eta Sigma Delta and Hospitality Leaders of Tomorrow
What other organizations are you involved in? I am a member of Delta Zeta and National Society of Collegiate Scholars. I also volunteer at the Humane Society and at Ozark Food Harvest.
Katie Shippert, Senior
Where do you work or where did you complete your hospitality internship at? I completed my internship this summer at Tan-Tar-A Resort at the Lake of the Ozarks as a banquet intern. I set-up, served and broke down all the meetings, conventions and receptions that took place there!
What honors have you received? Being named valedictorian of my internship class this summer at Tan-Tar-A was a huge honor and rewarding experience. I have also been on the Dean’s List.
Why are you an HRA major? I am passionate about hospitality and find it to be a true pleasure to help and serve others; that is what this industry is all about!
What is your favorite part about being an HRA major? My favorite aspect of the HRA major/department is the staff and faculty. They are knowledgeable, experienced, friendly and most importantly they want the students to succeed. They are so helpful and are our biggest supporters in and out of the classroom!
What hospitality organizations are you involved in? Hospitality Leaders of Tomorrow and Eta Sigma Delta
What other organizations are you involved in? I am in Alpha Chi Omega sorority where I served as the Assistant of Recruitment this year and Entertainment Management Association. Through my sorority and in my free time, I volunteer throughout the community of Springfield. Most of my hours are done at the Harmony House (a house for victims of domestic violence, and domestic violence is my sorority’s philanthropy) and Convoy of Hope!
Jun Xu, Senior
Where do you work or where did you complete your hospitality internship at? I currently work at JQH arena as a custodial student supervisor. We clean up during and after events, set up tables and chairs for the events and do daily clean up for the Arena.
What honors have you received? I have received an HRA departmental scholarship and am on the Dean’s List.
Why are you an HRA major? I chose this major because I have a passion for this industry, and I want to open my own upscale hotel eventually.
What is your favorite part about being an HRA major? I’ve gotten to know all my professors, and they know me as well. I learn a lot of practical skills through the lectures and have a lot of fun with my peer students!
What hospitality organizations are you involved in? Hospitality Leaders of Tomorrow and Eta Sigma Delta (PR committee)
What other organizations are you involved in? I am in CSSA( Chinese student and scholars association). I also volunteer at events such as the Mercy Sunshine Run and Ozarks Celebration Festival.